It’s no secret that cross-training is good for runners. It helps prevent injury and burnout, and can actually make you a stronger, faster runner. It’s just that it can be really hard to fit it all in, and when training for a running event, running comes first. But with marathon training on the horizon, I’ve decided that I really need to just pull the trigger and commit to at least one form of cross-training.
With that goal in mind, I bought a 5 class pass to Rev Indoor, a cycling studio that is LITERALLY around the corner from my apartment. We’re talking less than half a mile. I’ve been there before, a couple of times. The first time was the Legally Blonde group ride, and the second time was the Bollywood themed ride. I know the owner of this studio. I know a good percentage of the instructors. It’s close by. It’s affordable. So there’s really no reason not to go. My friend Ryan teaches a 6 am class every Wednesday, so it’s my goal to go for the next 5 Wednesdays in a row. I went this morning, so that’s one down! I’m hoping to make this once a week, early morning sweat session part of my routine going forward.
It’s my hope that by committing to this one extra workout each week, I can make it through the holidays without having gained my customary 5 or so pounds, and will be ready to start marathon training in earnest in January. I definitely want to keep going to spin class once a week as part of marathon training, but this is sort of my pre-training. I figure if I can get up at 5:30 am once a week now, I’ll be able to do it more often for training runs later. Just sort of ease into the misery of early morning wake-ups…
Are you a fan of early morning workouts?
What’s your favorite form of cross-training?
Definitely love the early mornings … quiet, calm, peaceful outside on my runs, gives me the chance to center myself and think – or not think.
As for cross-training, my go-to is just various bodyweight stuff. Really no plan or program …
It is funny, I normally find that I gain ~5 lbs starting around the time change and keep it all winter and then lose it again in the spring, like a 6 month, 5 pound cycle. This year I am trying to not gain the weight, doing OK so far, but stepping on a scale once a week isn’t something I like to do as a mental thing.
Unfortunately for me, I tend to gain a few pounds every holiday season and keep it. I’m trying to get back to where I was before we moved to VT, but it’s slow going.
I love get up early, but I often find it hard to get my body moving 😀 Right now I feel like I’m kind of going through my own holiday gain–I’m eating anything and everything with reckless abandon.
in short, I need to get back to my schedule!
At least you have an excuse for being off schedule. I’m just a lazy ass 😉
I just love that they had a legally blonde themed one. That is awesome!
It was amazing, it was all the people from the show, and then we sang and spun (spinned?) at the same time!